Make an embellished journal with a stitched spine, a flap, and a closure

Join Randi to learn to make a journal (soft book) with a 5-hole stitched binding.

Your journal will be made with one signature, which is a sewn group of pages. While books can be made with multiple signatures, in this class we’ll focus on the basics of single signature binding.

We will collage and embellish the journal covers with interesting papers and hand crocheted lace. The closure will be made with a large button and a ribbon.

This class is open to beginning and advanced students.

You can make your pages uniform or varied by size, color or paper as fits your intended use or whim. Consider a theme and palette (I recommend a limited color palette) to use throughout the book if you’d like, so you can start gathering papers, fabric, images and other dodahs for use on different pages.
To make your book, bring what you have of these:

Materials

• A protective cover for your work space such as a mat, news paper, freezer paper, or other covering to protect the table.
• Cover material: a 12 x 12 piece of cardstock. (I will have enough for everyone, so no worries if you don't have this cardstock.
• Paper and/or fabric and lace (or whatever you like) to collage the cover with. (I will bring a lot, but you should bring colors and textures that you like. )
• Your favorite mark making or coloring implements. Metallic pens or markers will work well, as will black and/or white Posca pens.
• Papers for pages-copy paper, notebook or book pages. Easiest to work with for this style of journal/book is 8 x 10. You’ll want at least 7 sheets for the signature (the book pages). 8.5 x 11 is OK too, but you'll have to cut it down. 8 x 8 paper would also work for the interior pages—and 8 x8 would allow for a wider cover flap.
• Cord--waxed cotton or linen, but I will have plenty of light tan waxed linen—really a lot.
• Glue - silicone, PVA, Aileen’s…
(I don't have enough PVA glue for everyone, but I have plenty of Mod Podge. Don't tell the professional book makers.)
  Tools:
• Paper Cutter (I'll bring one). No need to bring an unwieldy paper cutter.
• Scissors
• Bone folder or old credit card
• Awl (I have only a couple of good ones, so please bring your awl, y'all, if you have one). (Couldn't resist.)
• Ruler, preferably metal
• Binder clips or other clip that will hold several pages and the cover.
• Pencil
• Needle with large eye (I have plenty of needles, actually)

If you have a book cradle, please bring it.
We’ll have extras of many of these Items.
If you have questions about supplies, please call Randi or comment below.

Fees:
15$ Annual Member
20$ Public

TACG Payment and Cancellation Policies:
Annual TACG Members - If you miss a session and do not cancel before the 48 hour window, you will still be responsible for all class fees.
Community members who have not paid annual dues: you are welcome to attend up to three events, two paid. Because we have no way to contact people who have not officially joined TACG other than through Meet-up, our policy is as follows: If you have not paid one week prior to this class or event, we reserve the right to cancel your registration and remove you as an attendee. This allows us to open seats for others, and respect the preparation needs of our instructors and facilitators. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
How to pre-pay: You can pay with check, credit-card, or through Venmo. To pay with Venmo, please use the QR code in the photo gallery for this post. If you would like to pay by check or credit card, please reach out to our treasurer, Nadine at 253-777-6117. It can help to text first if your number is not yet recognized in her phone.